Treatment Using PHILOS Plate System for Displaced Fractures of the Greater Tuberosity of the Proximal Part of the Humerus

• Published in: Orthopedics & Traumatology Vol. 61; no. 4; pp. 719 - 723
• Main Authors: Tsutsumi, Yasujiro, Anraku, Yoshihisa, Kunitake, Katsuhiko, Yasunaka, Masanori, Tsukano, Hiroto, Tahara, Jun, Oyama, Yujiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: West-Japanese Society of Orthopedics & Traumatology 2012
• Subjects: greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus; internal fixation; subacromial impingement
• ISSN: 0037-1033; 1349-4333
• DOI: 10.5035/nishiseisai.61.719

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the modified operative technique using the PHILOS Plate System for displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal part of the humerus. The initial results of eight patients treated with this method are reported. The patients consisted of four males and four females. Their mean age was 53 (26-74) years old. The average duration from trauma to surgery was 8.8 (3-20) days. The average duration of follow-up was 7 (3-18) months. Osteosynthesis was performed using a Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System (PHILOS; Synthes, Germany). Firstl, the plate was cut in half, the proximal half of the plate was used and all shoulders received the additive fiber-cerclage of the rotator cuff after plate fixation. The functional and radiological outcomes were evaluated. According to Neer's classification, there were three cases of type IV and five cases of type VI. All cases achieved bony union. The mean postoperative JOA shoulder scores averaged 96.4 points, and there was no subacromial impingement or complications. This internal fixation method may provide more secure fixation for comminuted fractures of the greater tubercle of the humerus especially in weak bones.